Film Review
Much of this episodic comic film feels dated even by the standards of the early 1960s,
and its all-star billing is largely wasted on the lacklustre material contrived by Jean
Girault and his cohorts. Only the first segment of the film stands up to a second
viewing, thanks mainly to the spirited contributions from François Perrier (a great
dramatic actor in a rare comic role) and the delightfully bubbly Mireille Darc.
The tedious third segment (with a supremely unfunny Darry Cowl) is unfathomable, and is
best watched with the fast-forward button on the VCR remote control pressed firmly down.
Thankfully, the master of the comic grimace, Louis de Funès, manages to breathe
some life into the film's final part and we do get a few decent laughs before the closing
credits mercifully roll.
© James Travers 2003
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Next Philippe de Broca film:
L'Homme de Rio (1964)
Film Synopsis
Every day, the newspapers we buy tell us about a fortunate man or woman who has won some
spectacular prize. Do these people
really exist? Here are the stories
of five such lucky individuals...
Le Vison Jacqueline, housemaid to an aspiring architect Jérôme
and his aloof wife Laura, wins a mink coat in a competition, which she takes great pleasure
in flaunting in front of her employers. Jérôme tells his wife that
she must wear Laura's mink coat at a dinner with an important business contact, Flavigny.
Having managed to get the two women to agree to the arrangement, Jérôme then
falls out with his wife and ends up having to take Jacqueline to the dinner - with disastrous
consequences.
Le Repas gastronomique Bon vivant Francis Bricheton
has won a meal in an exclusive restaurant. But before he can eat, he must pose for
the photographers. Will he ever get his meal?
La Vedette
Simon Taquet, a billposter, wins a night with film star Patricia. He gets far more
than he anticipated...
Le Yatch Monsieur Duchemin has won a
yacht and, without telling his wife, sets out to collect it, hoping for a mischievous
cruise with his young secretary, Corine. When she realises her husband's good fortune,
Madame Duchemin decides to collect the yacht herself, accompanied by her handsome young
valet Philippe...
Le Gros lot Antoine Beaurepaire arrives in
Paris with his wife and daughter to collect the 100 million francs he has won in the national
lottery. Fearful of having his money stolen, Beaurepaire is determined to get to
the bank as quickly as he can. Unfortunately, his wife's insistence on buying some
jewellery soon upsets his plans...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.